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The author of Skulls in the Stars is a professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
Author Archives: skullsinthestars
Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis
Book 3 for 2025! My goal is 30 this year. Now that my rush to fulfill my arbitrary book-reading deadline for last year is done, I can relax and read books that are a bit longer. One I’ve had on … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
Tagged book review, book-reviews, books, Fiction, science fiction
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Talking Invisibility on the Peculiar Book Club!
For those who aren’t yet tired of me talking about the physics of invisibility and my book about it, a couple of days ago I was a guest on the Peculiar Book Club, hosted by Brandy Schillace! It was a … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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Godel’s Proof, by Ernest Nagel and James R. Newman
Book 2 for 2025! My goal is 30 this year. This is actually a book I read years ago but it was time for a reread to try to better understand the subject. I honestly wish more people would explore … Continue reading
Bury Your Gays, by Chuck Tingle
Book 1 of 30 for 2025! I’m off to a great start with a great book. Back in 2023 I read Chuck Tingle’s debut horror novel Camp Damascus and absolutely loved it. Tingle followed up not long after with Bury … Continue reading
The Gods Themselves, by Isaac Asimov
Book 23 of 26 books for 2024! I managed to sneak in one more for 2024; next year, I’m aiming for 30. I’ve written a lot about Michael Faraday on this blog, and one of my favorite anecdotes is the … Continue reading
Ms. Adventure, by Jess Phoenix
Book 22 of 26 books for 2024! I made my secondary goal for the year, considering I fell short of my original goal. However, for 2025, I think I’ll aim for 30 books, to push myself… One thing I love … Continue reading
Twelve Tales of Suspense and the Supernatural, by Davis Grubb
Book 21 of 26 books for 2024! I should be able to reach 22, maybe 23, because I can read a book every 2 days, roughly… I was browsing my shelves for books to read that wouldn’t take that much time, … Continue reading
Posted in Mystery/thriller, Weird fiction
Tagged book review, books, Fiction, Horror, review
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Hiero’s Journey, by Sterling E. Lanier
Book 20 of 26 books for 2024! I should be able to reach 22, because I can read a book every 2 days, roughly… This one caught my eye a while back while I was browsing my favorite vintage gaming store … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy fiction, Robert E. Howard
Tagged dd, dnd, dungeons-dragons, fantasy, rpg
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The Citadel of Fear, by Francis Stevens
Book 19 of 26 books for 2024! Can I reach 22 before year’s end? I definitely underestimated Francis Stevens on this one. Stevens was the pseudonym of Gertrude Barrows Bennett (1884-1948), an author of fiction that now tends to fall under … Continue reading
Gwen in Green, by Hugh Zachary
Book 18 of 26 books for 2024! Maybe I’ll make at least 22… Valancourt Books has been doing a great literary service by reprinting “Paperbacks from Hell” such as Carnosaur, and I’ve been reading as many of them as I can … Continue reading
Skulls in the Stars 